Automatic train pipe connecter



t- 13, 1931- J. ROBINSON 1,826,

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER Filed 001;. 27. 1927 INVENTOR ATTORN i toPatented Oct. 13, 1931 JOSEPH ROBINSON,'0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOIMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER Application filed October 27,1927.Serial No. 229,235.

Myinvention relates to improvements in automatic train pipe connectersand has among its objects to provide an improved means forinterchangeably connecting the train pipe of a car having the automaticconnecter to the hose of a car not so equipped. The details ofconstruction and the novel features of the invention are described inthe following specification, pointed out in the appended claims andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

' Figure 1 is a side elevation of the forward part of a well known typeof automatic connecter, provided with my improvement;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken on approximately the line 22 ofFigure 1 and showing my improved interchange in operation. In this Viewa part of the union 17 is shown in section; V

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation showing'a modification of myimprovement, and

Figure 4; is a view taken on approximately the line 44 of Figure 3further illustrating the modification.

Referring now to the drawings: My improvement may be used with anysuitable form of coupling head and support. I preferably show a couplinghead A of the well known wing type, and a support B to which the head issecured. The support is provided with a forward hollow end 5 onto whichthe head A is pressed as shown. Within this hollow forward end a curvedor laterally extending conduit 6 is mounted and secured in i 5 place asby a spring actuated pin 7, the fitting 6 being provided on its rearside with a lug 8, Figure 2, which normally restson a support 9, Figure3, to maintain the fitting 1n the proper horizontal position. serves, ofcourse, to lock the fitting against accidental displacement ordisconnection from the hollow forward end 5 of the support B. Theconduit is provided with an enlarged forward end 10 which restssubstantially in the plane of the forward face 11 of the support B, andcarries a suitable gasket 12, the heads A being provided with anydesired form of gathering means or prongs 14 to cause opposing gaskets12to align one with the other when the automatic connecter cou- The pinples up in service. The rear end of the conduit 6 is provided withlaterally extending lugs or dogs 15 adapted to interlockingly receivecomplementary lugs or dogs 16 of a union member 17. Between the rear end18 or the conduit 6 and the union 17, a suitable form of expanded gasket19is inserted, the gasket being placed under slight inltial compressionwhen the union member 17 is assembled onto the conduit 6. This assemblyand the disconnection of the member 17 from the conduit 6 isaccomplished by rotating member 17 to the right or left one quarterturn. It is understood, of course, that the inember 17 serves todetachably connect the suitable train pipe 17a to the conduit 6.

The foregoing parts and elementsof my invention and their operation arevery similar to corresponding parts illustrated and described in mycopending application, Serial No. 490,340, reference to .which is herebymade for amore detailed description of the construction and operation ofthese parts.

The novel features of my present invention over the constructiondisclosed in the above copending application Serial No. 490,340. residesparticularly in the manner inwhich my improved interchange device isattached to the support B. In the copending application mentioned theinterchange is shown as rigidly secured to the support, and service hasdemonstrated certain objections to exist with this form ofinterchange,the objection being mainly difiiculty in coupling the interchange to thehose of the unequipped car, and the locallzatlon of undue stresses 1nthe interchange in parting cars without first disfork of a clevis-boltor swivel 22, a bolt 23 passing through the clevis-bolt and the lug 21to pivotally secure the shank 20 to the clevisbolt. The clevis-bolt isprovided with a stem 24 which projects upwardly through an opening inthe boss 25 formed on the lower side of the enlarged forward end of thesup Ol't R. A suitable out or retaining collar 26 is suitably connectedas by threadsto the v upper end of the stem 24 to maintain the steinfirmly su ported in its bearing in the fv boss 25 and tiius support theinterchange device C from the underside of the support B, and firmly tiethe same thereto. It will be understood, of course, that the stem 24magnetite in the boss 25, and that the lug r21 hwytpivdtsbetween theforks of the clevisbolt 82, which arrangement forms in effect 'a jointby which the interchange has. universal movement relatise to(BeiuppofiB. it is Idesired to effect interchange hntweeniaz'car-nothaving my improved interohnnge'device and one equipped with the'outoth'flfic-connecter, the coupling head D of idly" raved interchangedevice is rotated v m i8b0l1t its pivotal connection with .llsrclevisbolt 22 to the position shown by lines in Iigure 2. The hose 28 offilm-ear not having the automatic connecter,

isthen coupled intov the head D of my iminterchdnge :device by means ofa m device 29 which is complementary dnimtencha ble with the aforesaid5. w head 'By rotating the interiewtioec from the position shown by uthnottad ilin'es in Figure 2, to the position -linesin said figure, thecoupling head D of the interchange device will n 'inteflnck with thecomplementary coupling fltktmd tha parts will then occupy-the normal wa; pnitionr shown. The train pipe 17a ilfihen disconnected from theconduit 6 by b I! the member 17 and the hose one 5 Mater turn 'to theright or left. and is bortherear'end 27 of the shank liy'ivsiniilarirotation of the member and the r'firisfope'ration efficientlyconnects the 'tt'filt ipi .l'l'ainto interchange communicasritgitheimse28 of a car not equipped automatic connecter. The reverse of dhmqerations will disconnect the inter- "h tndreconnect-the train pipe 17ato the ndaitti I 1 r; downwardly upon the rear end of:WfifiilfillkfiOWiH, after the train pipe has ecteil,* rotate theinterchange dc .Wicd'lfi to'thelposition shown by the dotted i 'i I*Eigflrefiand automatically disconnect- 0 the hose 28, By means of thisari I'M-into interchange communicaidi'm e hose SIS-from one side of theconflie'modificationshown in Figure 3 con- I t the 'tra-inman canconnect thesists of providing the pipe B with a perforated projection 30spanned by a clevis 31 and secured thereto by a suitable bolt A secondclevis or clamp is hooked under the clevis 31 and embraces a shortrubber hose section 34 employed in lieu of the metal shank 20 shown inFigure 2. In other respects, and in operation, this modification is thesame as that of the preferred construction described.

It is understood, of course. that the connection between the clevis 3iand the web or projection 30 of the support B is a pivotal connection.The use of this modified form of my invention permits of the use ofshort sections of rubber hose reclaimed from 'hose scrapped by therailways, and permits also of the use of old hose coupling heads 29. Theinterchange being but a temporary or transient art of the connecter, itis permissible that tiiese parts be made up of reclaimed material.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is;

i. In combination with a coupling head support and a train pipe hose,aninterchange device comprising a tubular member, means for pivotallyconnecting said memberto said support, said 'means includin a horizontalpivot intermediate the ends 0 said member, whereby up and down movementof the ends of said member is permitted, means at one end of said memberfor detachably connecting a train pipe hose thereto, the other end ofsaid member having an ordinary hand hose couplinglattached thereto.

2. n combination with a coupling head support and a train pipe hose, aninterchange devlcecomprising a tubular member, means 'for pivotallyconnecting said member to said support, said means including a verticalpivot intermediate the ends of said member, wherey movement of themember in a horizontal plane isipermitted, means at one end of saidmember for-detachably connecting a train pipe hose'thereto, the otherend of said memer having an ordinary hand hose coupling attachedthereto.

3..=In combination with a coupling head support and a train pipe hose,an interchange device comprising a tubular member arranged beneath saidsupport, a universal joint connee'tion between said support and saidtubular member intermediate the ends of the latter,

thereby permitting universal movement of the member relative to thesupport, means at one end of said member for detachably connecting atrain pipe hose thereto, the other end of said member having an ordinaryhand hose coupling attached thereto.

4. In combination with a coupling head support and a train pipe hose, aninterchange device comprising a tubular member arranged beneath saidsupport, a pivot member connected to said tubular member interme diatethe ends thereof, said pivot member being rotatably connected to saidsupport and rotatable relative thereto on a substantially vertical axis,said pivot member also being pivotally connected to said tubular member,the axis of said last mentionel pivotal connection being substantiallyhorizontal, means at one end of said tubular member for detachablyconnecting a train pipe hose thereto, the other end of said memberhaving an ordinary hand hose coupling attached thereto.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

JOSEPH ROBINSON.

